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Bears QB Uncertainty Continues Ahead of Eagles Game
Confirmed
In Short: The Bears' quarterback depth chart remains fluid as the team prepares for their Monday night game against the Eagles.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday that he is still unsure who will start at quarterback against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.
Case Keenum, the third-string quarterback, will practice Wednesday and could start if Bagent is not cleared from concussion protocol.
Williams has not missed a start since being drafted by the Bears with the first overall pick in 2024.
Bagent started four games as a rookie in 2023 and signed a two-year, $10 million extension with the Bears in 2025.
Keenum, who has 66 regular-season starts under his belt, could still be the Bears' option if Bagent is not ready to play.
Bagent's return to practice on Saturday is a key advancement within the protocol, but he must go consecutive days without symptoms to be fully cleared.
The Bears' quarterback depth chart remains fluid as the team prepares for their Monday night game against the Eagles.
What this adds
The Bears' quarterback situation remains uncertain as both Bagent and Williams are injured, leaving Keenum as the only healthy option.
What's confirmed
- Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday that he is still unsure who will start at quarterback against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.
- Case Keenum, the third-string quarterback, will practice Wednesday and could start if Bagent is not cleared from concussion protocol.
- Williams has not missed a start since being drafted by the Bears with the first overall pick in 2024.
- Bagent started four games as a rookie in 2023 and signed a two-year, $10 million extension with the Bears in 2025.
- Keenum, who has 66 regular-season starts under his belt, could still be the Bears' option if Bagent is not ready to play.
- Bagent's return to practice on Saturday is a key advancement within the protocol, but he must go consecutive days without symptoms to be fully cleared.
- The Bears' quarterback depth chart remains fluid as the team prepares for their Monday night game against the Eagles.
What's still developing
- Speaking with reporters Wednesday at Halas Hall, Johnson said he has confidence in all three quarterbacks on Chicago's roster and praised general manager Ryan Poles for constructing a quarterback room capable of handling the unusual situation the Bears suddenly find themselves in.
- Keenum, meanwhile, can begin taking practice reps immediately.
- That's why Wednesday represents an important head start for the 38-year-old veteran.
- Williams remains sidelined by the right hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, while Bagent is now in the NFL's concussion protocol.
- Bagent replaced him, completing 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards while nearly directing a game-winning drive in the final minute.
- Williams has since been classified as week-to-week, while Bagent's concussion has created another layer of uncertainty.
- Bagent is the Bears' top backup and was the first quarterback up following Williams' hamstring injury.
- Bagent suffered a concussion during that defeat against the Vikings, which clouded his availability for Week 3 and may have vaulted Keenum from third string to starter.
- Meanwhile, Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent was back on the practice field Saturday in full capacity.
- While he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Bagent was able to participate in the Bears' final practice and is listed as questionable on the team's injury report.
- Bagent was not back at Halas Hall until Friday as he progressed through the early phases of the NFL's five-phase protocol.
- He participated in meetings on Friday and was able to practice Saturday.